Module 8

Pulling Down the Carrier Case

Objectives

Apply appropriate pull down procedures according to route type

Utilize safe lifting techniques when pulling down the carrier case

Accurately complete PS Form 3996 Carrier Auxiliary Control

Maintain a clean work area

2

Pulling Down the Carrier Case

The carrier must perform several duties prior to pulling down the route

Some of these duties may include:• Obtaining SPRs and Extra Services

mail • Completing various forms• Discussing day’s assignments with

the supervisor

3

Obtaining Parcel Hampers

Parcels are located in a centralized location and are usually sorted by route

Obtain hamper to have a conveyance for the mail when pulled down

Withdraw SPR’s and Extra Services mail at this time per local procedures

4

SPRs and Extra Services Parcels SPRs

• Handled as flats and may be cased in the carrier case along with letters and other flats

• SPRs not cased should be trayed in delivery order

Larger parcels:• Remain in hamper and may be sequenced

while loading vehicle

• Efforts should be made to avoid double handling

Examine and identify Extra Services mail

5

SPRs and Extra Services Parcels Parcels that require

scanning and/or signature on PS Form 3849, Delivery Notice Receipt include:• Numbered Insured (over

$200)

• International Registered Mail

• Signature Confirmation

• USPS Tracking/Delivery Confirmation (scanning only)

6

3996, Carrier Auxiliary Control PS Form 3996 used to advise

supervisors of need for auxiliary assistance or overtime

Verbally inform supervisor, shortly after final receipt of mail, If you will be unable to:• Case all the mail distributed to the route

• Perform other required duties

• Leave on schedule or unable to complete delivery of all mail

7

PS Form 3996

Complete items A-K on PS Form 3996

Submit to supervisor for authorization

Once authorized, complete items M-O

Carrier providing assistance and delivery supervisor complete section P

8

Exercise

Sections A-L on PS Form 3996, have been completed and approved. Prepare the remaining sections of the form for the assisting carrier with the following information:• Transportation for route is Postal• The section of the route needing assistance begins at

550 Grove Street which is an apartment complex • Delivery sections are 562-551 Grove Street, 545-548

Grove Street, 780-779 Bedford Street, and 781-783 Bedford Street

• Collection boxes are at 550 Grove Street and 780 Bedford Street. There are two relay boxes within this delivery section

• The first is at Grove Street and Bedford Street intersection and the second is at 780 Bedford Street

9

Hillsdale Station 444-3333 2-7-13K. Welch C033

R 1/2 X

XXX

Two sets of sequenced mail and day after holiday and Friday business mail for closed business

1 30 X DO 1 30X DO

X550 Grove St – apt complex

562-551 Grove St

545-548 Grove St

780-779 Bedford St

781-783 Bedford St

550 Grove St

780 Bedford St

Grove St and Bedford St intersection

780 Bedford St

Exercise Answer10

PS Form 1571, Undelivered Mail Report

Reports mail distributed to the route, but not delivered

Management makes the decision to curtail mail

Daily record of mail distributed to carriers and left in the office or returned from the street undelivered

Often used in conjunction with PS Form 3996

11

PS Form 157112

Safe Lifting Practices

Observe safe lifting practices and protect condition of packages

When lifting:• Plan your lift, test the load• Ask for help when the load is too heavy or

awkward• Get firm footing - keep feet apart and point

toes out• Bend at knees and not waist• Tighten stomach muscles to support spine• Lift with legs and let muscles do the lifting• Keep load close to spine to exert less force on

back• Keep back upright and avoid twisting

13

Pulling Down

“Pulling down” mail is taking mail out of the case in sequential order and preparing for delivery

Different methods and equipment are used depending on the type of route and method of casing and delivery

14

Route Book

When unfamiliar with a route, review the carrier route book for special instructions concerning delivery

These instructions might include:• Customer requests

• School/Business closures

• Street detours

15

Route Book Exercise

Determine the type of route and method of delivery from the route book displayed

16

Joseph Thomas 1302 Main Office

LLV ½ Ton 9204248 10:25 4:75 15:00 1302

02/15/13 02/22/2013 X X

Park and Loop - Residential

Non-Deliverable Mail

Non-deliverable mail will be pulled down from the case and placed in designated location

Categories of non-deliverable mail:• CFS/PARS Mail• Carrier Endorsed Mark ups • UBBM• Hold Mail

17

Hold Mail

Minimum 3 days Not to exceed 30 days (longer

with management approval)

Online at usps.com - supervisor provides information

PS Form 8076, Authorization to Hold Mail Hold mail must be pulled from case prior to

placing in designated location Any notices (accountable mail/packages)

should be placed on top of the hold mail

18

Pull Down Procedures

Pull down in delivery order; pull down by type of route:

• Foot - Begin pull down in delivery order with the first relay through the last relay, strapping letter bundles and flats together. Typically, the first relay will be loaded directly into the carrier satchel. Sack and label relays as you go.

• Park and Loop - Begin pull down in delivery order with the second walking relay, traying each relay as you go. Then pull down relay one and put it in your satchel.

19

Pull Down

• Curbline/Motorized Dismount - Begin pull down in delivery order strapping out bundles of letters and flats, then place mail into a tray

• Centralized Delivery - Begin pull down in delivery order, strapping bundles of letters and flats by section or by each Cluster Box Unit (CBU)

20

Simplified Address/Marriage Mail On park and loop routes, set aside

sufficient number of simplified address or marriage mail pieces prior to strapping out

• Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)

• Marriage mail - A post card containing the address (detached address label) and the accompanying unaddressed piece

21

Foot/Park & Loop Routes with FSS FSS sequences flat-size mail; treated

similar to letter-size DPS Carriers on park and loop or foot routes

may be required to carry up to three bundles

Routes that receive FSS mail will have 3 bundles every day (residual cased mail, DPS, and FSS)

When this type of route receives an additional bundle (fourth bundle), reduce the number of bundles to three while in the office, prior to moving to street time

22

Maintaining 3 Bundles

To maintain three bundles, carriers serving park and loop or foot deliveries may only be assigned to either:• Case residual mail, then collate with FSS

mail while in the office (pre-sequenced bundle must meet definition of a third bundle under Interpretive Step agreement for case Q98N-4Q-C 00189552)

or

• Case residual mail, then collate with the pre-sequenced addressed mail during pull down while in the office

23

Collating

When simplified address mailings carried as a 3rd bundle on park and loop or foot deliveries• Simplified address mailing is placed on bottom

of appropriate bundle• To maintain 3 bundles, collated residual and

pre-sequenced mail with FSS mail

Collating is the act of merging multiple sets of mail

Sequenced mailings on curbline and dismount routes are handled as separate bundles, regardless of how many bundles unless otherwise authorized

24

Sleepers

Usually small mailpieces that may slip to the back of the case and are left behind when the mail is pulled down

Check case and surrounding area carefully after pulling down

25

Loading Equipment

Loading the Satchel• Carriers are required to carry appropriate

amount of mail, up to 35-pound limit, to complete each assigned relay without additional trips to the vehicle or relay box.

Loading the Hamper• Place mail in the hamper as it is prepared. This

will facilitate loading of vehicle. Mail on top of hamper will become mail on the bottom in vehicle and last to be delivered.

26

Maintain Clean Work Area

Keep work area clean and organized

Remove and discard routing tags from empty equipment, then return to proper staging location

Rubber bands, plastic straps, packaging plastic, and debris should be placed in proper containers

These items may be a trip hazard if not removed from the floor area

27

Review

1. What determines the type of equipment that will be used for pulling down?

2. Where would carriers find special instructions concerning delivery?

3. Customers may hold their mail over 30 days with management approval. True/False?

4. Carriers should check for sleepers after pulling down mail. True/False?

28

The type of route determines the type of equipment that will be used for pulling down

Carrier Route Book

True

True

Review

5. In what situation would a carrier be required to collate sequenced flats?

6. How is the supervisor notified when a carrier is in need of auxiliary assistance?

7. What form is used when mail is distributed to a carrier but not delivered?

29

On walking or park and loop routes that receive FSS mail and has received additional bundles above 3 bundle limit

At the final receipt of mail, the carrier verbally informs the supervisor and complete sections A-K of PS Form 3996

PS Form 1571, is completed when mail is distributed but not delivered

Summary30

In this module, we discussed:

Applying appropriate pull down procedures according to route type

Utilizing safe lifting techniques when pulling down the carrier case

Accurately completing PS Form 3996 Carrier Auxiliary Control

Maintaining a clean work area